Road fund bill coming up in Senate

Madison -- The state Senate is poised to decide Wednesday on a proposal to wall off the state's road fund to protect it from raids.

If approved by senators, the proposal to amend the Wisconsin Constitution would go before voters in a November 2014 referendum.

The legislation is in response to decisions over a number of years to transfer more than $1 billion out of the state's transportation money to pay for schools and other budget priorities.

The proposal stops short of doing what many lawmakers and transportation advocates say is needed - finding a new source of revenue for the transportation fund. The account to pay for roads, bridges and other infrastructure is projected to have $6.8 billion less than what is needed for the state's needs over the next decade.

Backers of changing the constitution said the proposal would ensure that funding for transportation does not deteriorate any further -- and give the public confidence the gas taxes and other fees they pay go toward roads.

Some Democratic opponents say it doesn't make sense to put protections on one state fund but not others, arguing that it amounted to prioritizing roads over schools and health care.

During his eight years in office, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle -- sometimes with approval of Republicans in the Legislature -- signed off on moving $1.3 billion out of the transportation fund to shore up schools and other programs. Some money removed was replaced with borrowed funds so major projects could continue, but the arrangement prompted outrage from road builders and others. They then pushed for a change to the state constitution to prevent such transfers.

Changing the constitution requires approval of the Legislature in two sessions in a row and then the approval of voters in a referendum.

Republicans took over state government in 2011 and that May gave initial approval for changing the constitution. The measure passed easily then - 82-11 in the Assembly and 26-6 in the Senate.

The Assembly approved the measure for a second time earlier this month on a 82-13 vote.

Walker and Republicans ended the practice of taking money out of the transportation fund in 2011. In fact, they reversed the practice and put $160 million of general tax revenue toward roads that would have otherwise gone to schools or other operations.

About Jason Stein

Jason Stein covers the state Capitol and is the author with his colleague Patrick Marley of "More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin." His work has been recognized by journalism groups such as the American Society of News Editors, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors.